Boston After Beltran?

I wondered if the Red Sox would be interested in Beltran a few weeks ago, but a friend of mine from Boston (and diehard Bosox fan) convinced me that Theo Epstein had enough injury-prone outfielders to worry about. Plus, there is the cost of Beltran — a hefty $18.5M.

It would seem that the Mets would need to eat a significant portion of Beltran’s salary for such a deal to happen. I still think the Mets are better served by keeping him now, but look to make a deal at the July deadline.

Though, it would be ironic to see Beltran go to Boston, and platoon in an outfield corner with Mike Cameron.

Joe Janish began MetsToday in 2005 to provide the unique perspective of a high-level player and coach -- he earned NCAA D-1 All-American honors as a catcher and coached several players who went on to play pro ball. As a result his posts often include mechanical evaluations, scout-like analysis, and opinions that go beyond the numbers. Follow Joe's baseball tips on Twitter at @onbaseball and at the On Baseball Google Plus page.

However, the Red Sox have always made a ton of sense….especially if they wind up whiffing on other outfielders [Werth, off the table now…..Crawford setting himself up for a potential $100MM+ commitment].

They could always work out a solid deal with us – keeping an eye toward 2011; especially with Gonzalez on the last year of a bargain contract. What’s he paid this year, $5.5MM?

Wonder what kind of groundwork could be laid this winter, with a “wait and see” approach as the summer plays out — if they didn’t wind up dealing for him outright?

Beltran wouldn’t have to adjust much, in playing either corner spot at Fenway — and the possibility of DH-ing him when he’s not feeling strong, always suits him better to the AL at this point in his career.

His arbitration angle is what scares me most (contractually, we can’t offer it next winter….and receive no compensation in any way, shape, or form).

Someone might take a stab at him, hoping he’d stay healthy enough to give ’em some “oomph”….but he couldn’t be relied upon; or worth a lucrative package.

Last thing I’d want is to be stuck with a run-down Beltran at the end of the year….only for him to hit the open market next winter — and the Mets FO standing with a certain appendage left in their hands.

I’d hope they’re discussing his name with every team in the league at this point.

We’d be very lucky to get 120 games from him in the NL this season, IMHO.

CatchDogDecember 8, 2010 at 9:29 am

Great post Walnutz! I’d think Boston would make a great trading partner. They have some interesting pieces and they could afford Tron.

The latest word is Carlos could play left and DH against lefty pitchers. He could see 145 games easy if the knees are kind to him.